The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. It russian marriage certificate translation template not certify that the primary document is genuine, only that it is a true copy of the primary document.

A certified copy is often used in English-speaking common law countries as a convenient way of providing a copy of documents. It is usually inexpensive to obtain. A certified copy may be required for official government or court purposes and for commercial purposes. It has some similarities to a notarized copy, which is a form used in some countries, and particularly in some States in the USA. The certified copy is signed by a person nominated by the person or agency asking for it. Typically, the person is referred to as an authorised person.

The person who is authorised to sign the certificate will vary between countries. A copy of a primary document that is to be used internationally may have to be in the form of a notarized copy rather than a certified copy. A notarized copy may be more expensive to obtain. If the primary document has to be translated, an additional certificate is usually required. For example, a birth certificate in Russian is to be used in an English-speaking country. Typically, the document must be translated professionally and have the professional’s certificate of accuracy attached to the translation together with a copy of the primary document.

Then, the primary document, the translation, and the certificate of accuracy are photocopied in the form of a certified copy. In Australia, certified copies are solely the creation of administrative practice. There is no specific legislation at federal, State or Territory level. Certified copies have long been used to give a veneer of authenticity to a photocopy of a primary document. In practice, they are very easy to obtain at almost no cost other than the photocopy, and are used in a wide range of situations, especially with identity documents.

In practice, and purely for convenience, a copy may usually be certified by a person who is able to witness a statutory declaration under federal legislation about Statutory Declarations. I certify that this is a true copy of the original document. Certified copies can be quite basic in Australia due to the lack of legislation. More detail is often required by the person or agency requiring it. Sometimes the person or agency will contact the person certifying the copy to limit the possibility of a fraudulent copy. In some States and Territories, police stations and libraries have arrangements to enable documents to be certified or witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.